Switzerland lose Manzambi for Argentina clash: 'We did everything'

The Swiss bench will be thinner than expected when they face Argentina in the early hours of Sunday. At 03:00 local time, Murat Yakin’s side will walk out without their creative spark Johan Manzambi, the 20-year-old midfielder ruled out of the quarter-final. Manzambi missed the last-16 win over Colombia and has not recovered in time for the blockbuster against Argentina. The teenager has been one of the revelations of the tournament so far, starting all four Swiss games except the penalty shoot-out victory over Qatar.

At 117 minutes, Lucumi rattles the bar as Switzerland edge Colombia on penalties

Swiss football’s rising star has attracted serious interest from Europe’s elite. According to Sky Sport Germany, Newcastle United is prepared to pay sixty million euros for Manzambi’s services.

At 22:00 in Vancouver, Switzerland and Colombia clash for a World Cup quarter-final place

Yakin broke the news on Friday evening, describing the absence as “very painful.” “We did everything to get him ready, but it’s not going to happen,” the head coach said. “He was in great form, you could see the joy he brings and how well he gels with his teammates. It’s a huge loss for us.”